The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-06-16

young Msgilp's Academy picesrsf'
3erubbabel shook his bead. but lsaat foe.
ward saesly, with his cumming - Axsd On
Mr.. Levfe 1ushed countensnco.
'3p1endid thing-safs 10 make eensation.
mean 70 81 hold Of II cheap, II can; and
= he's only young fellow, and apparsntly
hard up the chances ere I shall"
| 'sThink the picture really worth hsyinsr'
said z~ubbsbel, with depreciatory shrug.
"Not doubt about Il. You 80, it's an IT.
tssctivs subject, and one that d sure 10 take
the public. They don't like your grand his
tcrical pictures. They prefer something
pretty and pastoral, and that sort Of thing.
Bet you what you like that Mesilp's pic
turs'll be hung on the line. Al all events,
I'm going round TO his studio In few days
TO make him an offer for t."
Mr.. Zerubbabei smiled, and rubbed his
hands complacently. He had learnt some.
thing that might be useful TO him.
He didn't get rid Of Mr.. Levi until late In
the afternoon, consequently It was nearly
seven o'clock before he emerged from his
shop and stopped passing bus.
In less than half an hour the bric-a-brac
dealer was Get down close to the Megilps'
door. The servant who answered the bell
told him that Mr. Megilp was dining outthat
evening, and asked II he would ~ her mis-
trso.
Thinking lady would bs an easier Gus
TONER to deal with, Mr.. Zerubbabel said that
he would like to speak TO Mrs. Megilp for .
few minutes. Accordingly he was ushered
into the dining-room, where the lady shortly
Joined him.
"You have called to see my husband
about the-the bill of sale" }" the little woma.
began, in frightened tone.
well, yes, ma'am, in . way have; but
l should like 70 ses the picture he offered me
this morning"
The Academy picturef' suggested Mrs.
Aegilp, her face Frightening. II am 20
sorry; but my husband generally locks up
his studio when he goes out. Can't you call
another day and see itf'
"Oh, YES" answered Mr.. Zerubbabel, amia-
bly,; "but - I'm here, may q well tell
you Of the offer 1 am willing to make"
Mrs. Megilp's pretty face beamed with Joy
at the idea Of arranging matters with the
noney-lender. It would be such delight
full surprise for Michael Angelo when he
came home to find that that tiresoms busi-
ness Of the bill Of sale had been brought to
satisfactory conclusion during his absence.
"Mr. Megilp wants 10 get back his bill Of
sale on this furniture" began Mr.. Zerub-
label, with circular sweep of the hands to-
ward the contents of the room.
"Y-yes," breathed poor Madge with o
'hiver, for she thought that the odious
man looked - If he would like
70 carry off her household goods there and
hen. All the brightness went out Of her
ace, and she grew quite pale.
"Well, of course, my expenses in connec-
ion with his bill have been heavy-very
heavy; and my loss, if let it be paid off at
'nce, will be great-very great-in fact Rl00
will barely put me straight" said Mr.. Ze-
rubbabel, in business-like tone.
'Thst, added to the R2o0 Mr.. Megilp
borrowed Of me last year, makes
RS00. Now, I'll make him this offer: I'll give
him check for eos, and send HIM back the
bill Of sale, in consideration of his Academy
picture-the big one, mind, I mean-becom-
ing my property"
"The picture has been valued at R500," put
in Mrs. Megilp, timidly.
"Oh, has It? BY you and Mr.. Megilp, I
suppose! Well. amt going to give that.
What have offered il a. good ~ 2325--an
nncommonly high price, let me tell you,
ma'am, for . picture by an unknown artist"
Every one says that my husband 10 one
OF the rising artists of the day." exclaimed
Mrs. Megilp, firing up.
"Oh, they all are," retorted Mr.. Zerubba-
bel, rising 'Still, you had better think
over my OFFER and tell Mr. Megilp what
have said. I'll call round in day or two to
see the picture, when you can let me have
definite answer"
And Mr.. Zerubbabel took up his hat and
bowed and grinned himself out, leaving the
indignant little woman to think over matters
in general, and the matter Of the bill Of sale
in particular.
When Michael Ango came in she told
him Of the mans visit and the proposition
he had made.
He has changed his mind pretty quickly"
Megilp. 'This morning he would
bave nothing to say to my proposal. Be
'idee, R25 10 very little to get in hard cash,
70 shall certainly wait for . few days be-
lore decide. Carper promised to speak a
sood word for me to dealer he knows"
A DAY or two afterward Mr.. Abiram
Levi presented himself at Meeilp's
tudio, and found tho artist putting q
ew final touches to "Chlos Counting Her
Jhickens." He surveyed the picture atten-
lively for some minutes, and then, turning
Q Michael Angelo, he blandly offered him
e100 for It.
why, I've had the offer Of - good n
e38 for Il slroadv - aYclaimed The svti.f
Mr.. Levi pricksd up his ears.
"Hullol somebody has got the start Of
ne" he thought, ruefully. "who the deuce
an Il bsf"
We'll, don't mind giving you ESQ for
land, perhaps, you've something else 1t |
nay suit me to buy" he said, with glance
ound the studio. whats this p he added,
DING up to large picture, very Handsomely
ramed, but turned with it, face to the wall. |
"A-a picture sent in to Burlington
House last year, but II wasn't accepted"
hammered Michael Angelo.
"Humphl l don't wonder. Whats the
anne of itr" went ON the dealer, reading the
sgend inscribed on the frame, Margaret
lending Her Stockings." mo, that won't
nit me; it's . big, ugly thing, and shock
,gly raw. You've done better work
inceI
IAN Of which Il sold" interrupted Ne
lip. in huffed tone, "excspt this little
hing 'Snnr Grapes.'"
"But again the dealer shook his head. and
'ok his stand before the easel ON which stood
Ohloe."
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